Illuminating device



1932- E. c. SMALLY 1,870,147

ILLUMINATING DEVICE Filed A m 2'; 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 2, 1932- E. c. SMALLY ILLUMINATING DEVICE Filed April 2, 1931 '2. Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 19 32 PATENT oFFlc EMANUEL C. SHALLY, OF CANTON, OHIQ rnnumrarme nnvron Application filed April 2,

This invention pertains to improvements in illuminating devices and appliances in which a continuous luminous tube is employed for the purpose of materially increasing the brilliancy and illuminating qualities in connection with illuminated signs, trailic lights, display, decorative, and all other purposes for which this device or appliance may be utilized or employed as an illuminating re or lighting source.

The prime object of this invention is to so construct my improved illuminating device that it will serve to maintain and create a reatly increased illuminating power and 1% hrilliancy over and. above the ordinary illuminating device now usually employed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an illuminating device of any desired shape or contour forming a single unit, and

all composed of a luminous glass tube with a glass reflector having a silvered outer surface, said reflector being integrally secured or united to said tube.

N A further object of the invention is to so form an illuminating device from a continuous tube of luminous glass adapted to contain a suitable illuminary means, such as neon gas, or other illuminating gases, having each terminal end portion of said tube united by a single socket member.

The foregoing and such other objects as may appear from the ensuing description are accomplished by the construction, arrangement, location and combination of the several parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the cla'ms appended hereto, it being understood that slight changes in the precise shape, proportions and minor details of the construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification it will be seen'that:

Figure is a plan oi"? one form of an improved illuminating device, embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-section taken in the 1931. Serial. R0. 527.30%

plane ofthe dotted lines 2-2, Fig. 1, showing the terminals in elevation.

igure 3 is an elevation of a modified form of the device shown in Fi s. 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is another mod1fied form showing a single letter, with one coil of glass tube unite to a glass refiecter.

Fi ure 5 is a plan of one form of a base mem er forming the reflecter for the illuminating device.

Figure 6 is a cross-section taken in the plane of the dotted lines 66, Fig. 5, showing in dotted lines the luminous tubing and sock et for connecting the terminal ends of said tubing.

Figure 7 is a side elevation oi a modified form of illuminating device showing the lumlnous tubing in dotted lines.

Figure 8 is a cross-section taken in the plane of the dotted lines 8-8, Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective showing another slightl modified form of illuminating de Er ca, s owing the luminous tubing in dotted mes.

Figure 10 is a plan of one of the segments forming a part of the refiecter.

Figure 11 is a cross-section of Fig. 10.

Figure 12 is a plan view of a portion of one of the luminous tubes before being bent or Cpoiled for use in the illuminating device, an v,

Figure 13 is a cross-section taken through the tube shown in Fig. 12.

In the embodiment of my. invention as illustrated it will be seen that the numeral as l designates a glass refiecter which is formed into all shapes desired or required, and may be formed from single strips or sheets such as shown in Figs 10 and 11, with each of the side edges thereof preferably united or if preferred the said reflecter may be Formed from a single piece of glass, the rear surface being provided with a silvered coating 2, and upon the upper or outer surface of the refiecter is suitably coiled a glass luminous tube 3, that is filled with neon or other suitably illuminating gases, such as are well lmown in the art of illuminating devices, the inner terminal end l of the glass tube passing through a central opening. formed through 1064 the reflecter, while the outer terminal end 4' of the glass tubing is bent downwardly and inwardly, both of the terminals of the tubing being united by a suitable socket member 5, to which socket member is suitably connected the usual electric wires 6, 6 and electrodes (not shown) for causing the gaseous vapor within the glass tubing to be ignited thereby causing the tubing to impart a brilliant luminous light entirely throughout its length.

It will be understood. that the glass reflecter form is first prepared in any and all suitable shapes desired, after which the glass tubing is suitably placed over the outer surface of the reflecter in such formation as is desired, then the tubing and reflecter are united by annealing, or in any other suitable manner, thereby forming the reflecter and tubing into a single integral illuminating unit.

It will thus be perceived that owing to the peculiar and particular formation of both the luminous tubing and the reflecter, that this type of illuminating device will serve to materially increase the brilliancy and illuminating qualities of the device for all purposes for which it may be employed.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be seen that a modified form of illuminating device is shown, the numeral 7 indicating another form of reflecter, having a spirally disposed luminous glass tubing 8 surrounding said reflecter with the terminals of the said tubing leading to a socket connection (not shown) for uniting said terminals, and Fig. 4: shows a single letter C showing the dished or curved reflecter member 9 and the glass luminous tubing 10 united thereto forming a single integral unit.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a special type of reflecter 11 intended especially to be used in connection with illuminating devices to be attached to or connected with the ceilings of rooms of all dimensions, Fig. 6 showing the tubing and connections in dotted lines, while Figs. 7 and 8 show in elevation and cross-section a modified form of illuminating device, with a reflecter 12, the tubing being shown in dotted lines Fig. 7.

By reference to Fig. 9 will be seen another modified form of illuminating device of square or rectangular formation showing the reflecting member 13 and the glass luminous tubing 14 in dotted lines, and Fig. 10 shows a portion of the reflecter 15 in plan; Fig. 11 showing a cross-section of said reflecter; Fig. 12 shows in plan a portion of the glass luminous tubing 16 and Fig. 13 shows a crosssection of said tubing.

It will be readily obvious that my improved illuminating device may be formed into any and all of the various shapes and formations desired, and that owing to such formations, in connection with the united glass tubing and reflecting member formed in the manner hereinbefore described, the intensity of the illuminating power will be greatly increased Without increasing the cost for maintaining its illuminating qualities.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An illuminating device comprising a reflecter having a coiled groove formed in its outer face, and a glass luminous tubing coiled thereon, and united to said face throughout its entire length forming a single integral unit, said tubing having an electrode at each end thereof.

2. An illuminating device comprising a glass reflecter with a silvered coating formed upon its rear surface and having a coiled groove formed in its outer surface, and a glass luminous tubing coiled upon its upper surface, said reflecter and tubing being united together throughout their entire length to form a single integral unit, and an electrode disposed at each end of said tubing.

3. An illuminating device comprising a curved glass reflecter having a silvered rear surface, a luminous glass tubing permanently secured to said reflecter throughout its entire length and forming a part thereof, and an electrode disposed at each end of said tubing.

4. An illuminating device comprising a glass reflecter, a glass luminous tubing forming an inte ral part of said reflecter, one terminal en of said tubing passing through a central opening formed in the reflecter, and the other terminal leading from the outer end of the reflector to a suitable socket con nection, said tube having an electrode disposed at each of its ends.

5. An illuminating device comprising a glass reflecter, a glass luminous tubing permanently secured to said reflecter and forming an integral part thereof, an opening formed through the central portion of the reflecter for passing one of the termmal ends of the tubing therethrough, the other end of the said tubing being bunt inwardly below said reflecter, and a socket member for uniting said terminal ends, said tube having an electrode disposed at each end thereof.

6. An illuminating device comprising a reflecter having a series of curves forming its outer surface, a glass luminous tubing formed with a series of coils united to the outer face of said reflecter throughout its length, the terminal ends of said tubing being secured to a single socket member, said tube having an electrode disposed at each of its ends.

' 7. An illuminating device comprising a glass reflecter, a glass luminous tubing forming an integral part of said reflecter, a single socket member for securing the terminal ends of said tubing together, and an electrode disposed at each end of said tubing.

8. A11 illuminating device comprising a refiecter having a slnuous concave groove formed therein, and a glass luminous tubing shaped to conform to said groove and forming an integral part of said reflecter, said tubing being provided with an electrode at each end thereof.

' EMANUEL C. SMALLY. 

